George Hill
Member
I'll play. Here is my top 4 choices.
.22-250
.260 Remington
7mm Rem Mag
.375 H&H
.22-250
.260 Remington
7mm Rem Mag
.375 H&H
Four Best Calibers for U.S. Hunters
- Thread starter Shawnee
- Start date
- Status
Ivy Mike
Member
.30-06
.308
.22lr
12ga
available everywhere and will take any game in North America.
.308
.22lr
12ga
available everywhere and will take any game in North America.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
01. .243 Winchester
02. .30-06 Springfield
03. .280 Remington
04. .300 WSM
02. .30-06 Springfield
03. .280 Remington
04. .300 WSM
4. 22-250 or .243 or 6mm
3. .35 Whelen
2. .30-06
1. 7mm Remington Magnum
There is always the chance I'll run into hogs when I'm hunting in Georgia. I've seen at least one that had to be 500 lbs. There was another pig at least 350 that day, in the group. Unfortunately, I didn't get a shot, but if I had, I'd need to be prepared to shoot quickly, not wait for a perfect head shot on a still target.
I really would prefer something heavier than .243/6mm for a quick shot on a big pig like that. I can always pick a heavier bullet for less meat damage if I'm going for something small, but I can't magically make a 6mm projectile heavier. And you'd need a custom rifling twist to shoot heavier bullets, which would take away ability to shoot varmint rounds really well, anyway. I think the 7mm is a little more gun than most people usually need, but if you need, you really need it. At the same time, recoil is less than .300 WM and the really big boomers.
John
3. .35 Whelen
2. .30-06
1. 7mm Remington Magnum
There is always the chance I'll run into hogs when I'm hunting in Georgia. I've seen at least one that had to be 500 lbs. There was another pig at least 350 that day, in the group. Unfortunately, I didn't get a shot, but if I had, I'd need to be prepared to shoot quickly, not wait for a perfect head shot on a still target.
I really would prefer something heavier than .243/6mm for a quick shot on a big pig like that. I can always pick a heavier bullet for less meat damage if I'm going for something small, but I can't magically make a 6mm projectile heavier. And you'd need a custom rifling twist to shoot heavier bullets, which would take away ability to shoot varmint rounds really well, anyway. I think the 7mm is a little more gun than most people usually need, but if you need, you really need it. At the same time, recoil is less than .300 WM and the really big boomers.
John
TCB in TN
Member
22lr -- for varmints close and small game
.308 /30-06 pick one the twins are both common and versitile shoot 125's up to 220s and can easily take anything in the lower 48+ most anything North of that as well.
If I need two more I would go with
22-250 for LONG range varmints (although either of the above pair will do stellar work)
I would also pick something BIG just for those real dangerous critters if I had to get closer. So say maybe a
.375 H&H
But in a pinch give me the first 2 plus a 12gauge and I would be a happy camper!
.308 /30-06 pick one the twins are both common and versitile shoot 125's up to 220s and can easily take anything in the lower 48+ most anything North of that as well.
If I need two more I would go with
22-250 for LONG range varmints (although either of the above pair will do stellar work)
I would also pick something BIG just for those real dangerous critters if I had to get closer. So say maybe a
.375 H&H
But in a pinch give me the first 2 plus a 12gauge and I would be a happy camper!
Der Verge
Member
Ok, I guess I should qualify my above complaints, with the list of what I have, and the 4 that I will be getting.....
#1. .223.......target/vermin
#2. .243.......target/ large or long range vermin (heavy barrel gun)
#3. 7mm Rem Mag....considered a bit much for most, but, I am never under gunned.
#4. (comming soon) .375 H&H....good for the big ones, like, polar bear.
I don't have to explain the .223.
As for .243, I am one of those that believes this is a expert's cartridge when used in the deer woods. Only advanced shooters should use it for deer. And then, I still think it is a bit light for the big bucks. This is why I don't use mine for that purpose. Another vermin weapon.
The 7mm will take anything in N/A, and do it faster, and flatter, than .30-06.
I chose the .375H&H because I think that many of the big bores are just overkill, or ludicrous. Not that you should not buy one, or enjoy any of them......but, if/when I go out bear hunting, I will remember that when I am in the grizzly/brown bear woods, I am no longer on the top of the food chain. I would like something that does massive damage, in the sake of self preservation.
#1. .223.......target/vermin
#2. .243.......target/ large or long range vermin (heavy barrel gun)
#3. 7mm Rem Mag....considered a bit much for most, but, I am never under gunned.
#4. (comming soon) .375 H&H....good for the big ones, like, polar bear.
I don't have to explain the .223.
As for .243, I am one of those that believes this is a expert's cartridge when used in the deer woods. Only advanced shooters should use it for deer. And then, I still think it is a bit light for the big bucks. This is why I don't use mine for that purpose. Another vermin weapon.
The 7mm will take anything in N/A, and do it faster, and flatter, than .30-06.
I chose the .375H&H because I think that many of the big bores are just overkill, or ludicrous. Not that you should not buy one, or enjoy any of them......but, if/when I go out bear hunting, I will remember that when I am in the grizzly/brown bear woods, I am no longer on the top of the food chain. I would like something that does massive damage, in the sake of self preservation.
Shawnee
member
Hi Der Verge...
Nice thing about the .375 is it can be loaded down (if it can be called that) to the level of the .358 Norma Magnum or the .35 Whelen and still be pretty darned flat-shooting, at least within maybe 250 yds. and both of those calibers are major sledgehammers in their own right. The advantage in that (IMHO) is it becomes easier (and hopefully faster) for the shooter to recover from the recoil of the first shot and execute follow-up shots, if need be - which would seem to be really handy if bearding an SUV-sized bruin.
Nice thing about the .375 is it can be loaded down (if it can be called that) to the level of the .358 Norma Magnum or the .35 Whelen and still be pretty darned flat-shooting, at least within maybe 250 yds. and both of those calibers are major sledgehammers in their own right. The advantage in that (IMHO) is it becomes easier (and hopefully faster) for the shooter to recover from the recoil of the first shot and execute follow-up shots, if need be - which would seem to be really handy if bearding an SUV-sized bruin.
ThomasT
Member
Your right Shawnee the 375 H&H can be loaded down.
The original post stated that handloading was not allowed. Thats why i never posted my choices. So what gives now?
There are several calibers that would do for about anything i want to hunt IF i can handload and pick the bullets and velocities of each load.
The original post stated that handloading was not allowed. Thats why i never posted my choices. So what gives now?
There are several calibers that would do for about anything i want to hunt IF i can handload and pick the bullets and velocities of each load.
ice monkey
Member
A good Rimfire
.204 Ruger
.260 Remington
.300 Win Mag … or a .45-70 lever action
.204 Ruger
.260 Remington
.300 Win Mag … or a .45-70 lever action
ice monkey
Member
I like the way you think 99sparks ... that's awesome.
Shawnee
member
Ratshooter...
You're right about my OP saying "no handloaded ammo".
Didn't mean to change that - was just offering Der Verge an "aside" about the .375.
My bad.
You're right about my OP saying "no handloaded ammo".
Didn't mean to change that - was just offering Der Verge an "aside" about the .375.
My bad.
ThomasT
Member
Hey Shawnee no problem.
Having a selection of rifles for every game animal i MIGHT get to hunt is the reason i have more rifles than i can ever use.
With my loading gear i could get by with a 243 and a 280 or 30-06. A 22 and would round out the rifles i need.
Where i do most of my hunting is an area that is growing houses and this has made it necessary to use shorter range rifles. Now we hunt with 44 or 357 mag lever guns. For the short ranges we see deer this is all thats needed.
Having a selection of rifles for every game animal i MIGHT get to hunt is the reason i have more rifles than i can ever use.
With my loading gear i could get by with a 243 and a 280 or 30-06. A 22 and would round out the rifles i need.
Where i do most of my hunting is an area that is growing houses and this has made it necessary to use shorter range rifles. Now we hunt with 44 or 357 mag lever guns. For the short ranges we see deer this is all thats needed.
jonboynumba1
Member
everyone has "pet" calibers
Be they .223, .25-06 .243 or .338 Lapua
The truth is when things more or less started with a handful of viable common commerical choices and then expanded with millitary choices over the years and then BOOMED with expanded commericial interest post WWi and especially II the concept of "need" was replaced with "want" and "will sell"
You can spend a large amount of time studying ballistic tables and then look at a coresponding load from a .30-06 and in most cases you'll say "damn...that's pretty close!" (and often at lower presures to) It's all what you want and like. I haven't owned a .30-06 in years but it's a great all around choice. I've hunted quite a bit (years ago) with the old humble .30-30 as well and while no scortcher on a ballistic table in the real world found it's soft roundnose bullets very effective inside 150 yards. .270 is probably my favorite all around deer round...no particular reason other than it works well and I like it...maybe it's because it was "Jack's round" and I grew up reading Jack O'connor....maybe it's simply because when I finaly started actually killing deer regularly that's what I used at the time and it just always layed them down (sure a 150gr. 06' would have done the same thing) I've used a 7 mag lately...and while I really like it and have great loads worked up I still have my .270 dies and loads and will likely add yet another one soon...because sooner or later that is just what I always go back to.
My advice is buy and use whatever suits you and your game of choice...need is really not a big issue. Best is pretty subjective to these days-LOL
Be they .223, .25-06 .243 or .338 Lapua
The truth is when things more or less started with a handful of viable common commerical choices and then expanded with millitary choices over the years and then BOOMED with expanded commericial interest post WWi and especially II the concept of "need" was replaced with "want" and "will sell"
You can spend a large amount of time studying ballistic tables and then look at a coresponding load from a .30-06 and in most cases you'll say "damn...that's pretty close!" (and often at lower presures to) It's all what you want and like. I haven't owned a .30-06 in years but it's a great all around choice. I've hunted quite a bit (years ago) with the old humble .30-30 as well and while no scortcher on a ballistic table in the real world found it's soft roundnose bullets very effective inside 150 yards. .270 is probably my favorite all around deer round...no particular reason other than it works well and I like it...maybe it's because it was "Jack's round" and I grew up reading Jack O'connor....maybe it's simply because when I finaly started actually killing deer regularly that's what I used at the time and it just always layed them down (sure a 150gr. 06' would have done the same thing) I've used a 7 mag lately...and while I really like it and have great loads worked up I still have my .270 dies and loads and will likely add yet another one soon...because sooner or later that is just what I always go back to.
My advice is buy and use whatever suits you and your game of choice...need is really not a big issue. Best is pretty subjective to these days-LOL
Northslope Nimrod
Member
1. 30-06
2. 22lr
3. 30-30
4. .223 (for those varmints)
2. 22lr
3. 30-30
4. .223 (for those varmints)
OK. I'll play.
First, I read the original post to be asking for 4 calibers which, TAKEN AS A SINGLE RIFLE, could function on the game listed, and fulfill the other criteria. So my answer is the four calibers that would work for that. NOT the 4 calibers which, when grouped together in one gun safe would cover the range of uses the best. Hence, no 22LR. No 300 mag. And, can I buy it in an average small town.
.243
25-06
.270
30-06
There. Now this thread is complete. Thank you. No need for further posts.
;-)
Steve
First, I read the original post to be asking for 4 calibers which, TAKEN AS A SINGLE RIFLE, could function on the game listed, and fulfill the other criteria. So my answer is the four calibers that would work for that. NOT the 4 calibers which, when grouped together in one gun safe would cover the range of uses the best. Hence, no 22LR. No 300 mag. And, can I buy it in an average small town.
.243
25-06
.270
30-06
There. Now this thread is complete. Thank you. No need for further posts.
;-)
Steve
ForneyRider
Member
1) 22 LR (rimfire)
2) 243 (308 Win family, 260 Rem, 243 Win, 338 Federal)(general purpose non-magnum)
3) 7mm Remington Magnum (general purpose magnum)
4) 375H&H large game (dream of a lifetime African hunt)
I really wanted to put a lever gun in there. It's handy to have a lever gun caliber in certain parts of country.
2) 243 (308 Win family, 260 Rem, 243 Win, 338 Federal)(general purpose non-magnum)
3) 7mm Remington Magnum (general purpose magnum)
4) 375H&H large game (dream of a lifetime African hunt)
I really wanted to put a lever gun in there. It's handy to have a lever gun caliber in certain parts of country.
IndianaBoy
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 1,551
Are you getting tired of this game Shawnee?
It's wearing awfully thin.
You are on a forum full of gun enthusiasts. Many of us reload, practice shooting, and have the knowledge to make our own decisions about what calibers we use.
For some reason I am able to appreciate the splendid 250 Savage without getting a hard on for making up silly names for the wonderfully capable 30-06 Springfield.
If you want to talk to some people who are interested... go tell the customers at the firearms desk in Walmart that they are stupid to buy a 30-06, and they need a 250 Savage.
Then explain to them that they will probably need to have a gun shop order it... or at least call their distributor to have them send one. Same with ammo. Unless you want to help them pick out a press too.....
We get it... you don't like the '06. Got something interesting to teach us?
It's wearing awfully thin.
You are on a forum full of gun enthusiasts. Many of us reload, practice shooting, and have the knowledge to make our own decisions about what calibers we use.
For some reason I am able to appreciate the splendid 250 Savage without getting a hard on for making up silly names for the wonderfully capable 30-06 Springfield.
If you want to talk to some people who are interested... go tell the customers at the firearms desk in Walmart that they are stupid to buy a 30-06, and they need a 250 Savage.
Then explain to them that they will probably need to have a gun shop order it... or at least call their distributor to have them send one. Same with ammo. Unless you want to help them pick out a press too.....
We get it... you don't like the '06. Got something interesting to teach us?
Zak Smith
Member
Glad to see so many .260 fans.
My list:
1. 22LR
2. 260REM
3. 7RM
My list:
1. 22LR
2. 260REM
3. 7RM
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